Communications Specialist 1 Jobs

USmax Corporation is seeking a Communications Specialist to join our team supporting a federal agency.

The Communications Specialist will serve as a key member of the Public Affairs team Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) at USAID. LPA serves as USAID’s central point of contact with Congress, the media, external stakeholders, and the American people regarding the Agency’s programs and policies.

The Public Affairs team directs the Agency’s external communications strategy, and is responsible for communicating positioning, messaging and branding; developing outreach and educational programs; leading the Agency’s digital-communications strategy; managing the Agency’s external website; and producing events and promotional products to generate support for USAID’s mission. In addition to these responsibilities, LPA advises the Administrator and senior-level Agency officials regarding strategic external engagement opportunities and appropriate protocol for senior-level and/or diplomatic engagements. In exercising this leadership role, LPA works closely with Bureaus and independent offices of the Agency, as well as its federal advisory committees.

As part of the Public Affairs Team, the Office of Strategic Communications is responsible for creating communications campaigns and associated content to promote the Agency’s priorities across various communications platforms. The content and campaigns are used to engage key audiences including Congress, key stakeholders, the media and audiences engaged through the Development Outreach Communicators in Missions overseas.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develops online content for and manages messaging for external web platforms.
• Creatively identifies new mechanisms and opportunities to tell the story of the agency in new and exciting ways and targets key audiences, across a large number of platforms.
• Other duties as assigned
• Supports the management and growth of an active community of practice using a variety of internal and external channels (e.g., newsletters, webinars, live events, online platforms, etc.) and leveraging a mix of communication resources (e.g., toolkits, case studies)
• Assists in drafting social media content.
• Writes, edits and oversees the production and dissemination of strategic communication materials, including but not limited to online feature stories, blog posts, case studies, fact sheets, newsletters, presentations, and video scripts.
• Reviews, refines and supports clearance of communications and relevant materials for LPA or other portfolios as assigned to ensure consistency with Agency messaging, policy, and procedures.
• Supports the development, implementation and management of the USAID communications activities, including its top-line messaging, marketing materials, social media toolkits and other and communications tools.
• Monitors development news, trends, and best practices, and translates into actionable content.

Required Experience/Qualifications:

• Experience with congressional relations preferred
• Strong strategic communications skills and background required
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally
• Expert knowledge of grammar, writing, editing, and writing techniques across a broad range of written product types and for different audiences and purposes
• Experience in conception, layout and production of communications products using professional level tools such as InDesign and GovDelivery
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Must have the ability to obtain a Facility Access Clearance (FAC)